Noxon Rapids dam
Noxon Rapids
Noxon Rapids, a private hydroelectric dam located in Noxon, Montana, is a marvel of engineering designed by EBASCO and completed in 1960. Standing at a height of 135 feet with a hydraulic height of 165.5 feet, this gravity dam spans 5,840 feet across the Clark Fork River. With a storage capacity of 400,000 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 364,000 cubic feet per second, Noxon Rapids serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation, fish and wildlife conservation, and recreational activities.
The dam's controlled spillway, with a width of 320 feet, helps manage water flow during periods of high inflow. Despite its hazard potential being rated as high, regular inspections by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ensure its structural integrity and safety. Noxon Rapids also boasts a surface area of 7,940 acres and drains an area of 21,800 acres, providing vital water resources for the region. As a significant player in the local ecosystem, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels and supporting wildlife habitats along the Clark Fork River.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Noxon Rapids represents a symbol of sustainable energy generation and environmental stewardship. Its very high risk assessment underscores the importance of effective risk management measures to safeguard the surrounding communities and ecosystems. With its impressive infrastructure and strategic location, Noxon Rapids stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and natural resource management in the dynamic landscape of Montana's waterways.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Noxon Rapids -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clark Fork River Below Cabinet Gorge Dam Id | 42,200 cfs | → |
| Nf Coeur D Alene R Ab Shoshone Ck Nr Prichard Id | 111 cfs | → |
| Lightning Creek At Clark Fork Id | 59 cfs | → |
| Prospect Creek At Thompson Falls Mt | 101 cfs | → |
| Fisher River Near Libby Mt | 163 cfs | → |
| Sf Coeur D Alene At Elizabeth Park Nr Kellogg Id | 139 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Noxon Rapids.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Noxon Rapids
Where does the data for Noxon Rapids come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card below for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.